Roll For The Soul, Bristol

Saturday night and we’ve found ourselves in a packed out (and we mean PACKED OUT) Roll for the Soul. The bike workshop-cum-cafe which is fast becoming Bristol’s DIY punk hub (pun intended) is hosting Trust Fund’s long anticipated album release show. Due to the gig causing enough mass hysteria to sell out the small venue they band have been forced to play a second show Sunday night aswell. That hysteria adds an air of excitement of the show sure, but it also perfectly illustrates the adoration Trust Fund holds over their ever-expanding fanbase.

Even though Trust Fund were the corner stone of the show, the support was just as stellar. Opening the night is Ides. Ides is Alanna from Joanna Gruesome’s solo project. She performs deeply personal songs that render the room completely still. The badass punk front woman we’ve come to know shows her fragile side and we hold our breath during each song. It’s really, truly special.

Next up is Bristol’s The Jelas, who instantly change the atmosphere of the gig, taking us into the realm of that always-intimidating genre: art rock. Their music is a wonky combination of staccato drumming patterns, intricate bass lines, sparse, intelligent guitar parts and last but not least the somewhat unfashionable addition of a saxophone (Yes saxophone. The Jelas have a permanent saxophone player in 2015. Seriously.) It all results in a captivating, one of a kind set. The Jelas, who seem to have been knocking around the city since time immemorial, may just be about to find their feet.

Finally it’s our headliner’s turn to take the stage in what has already been an excellent gig, and they certainly don’t disappoint. Ellis Jones has one of the most idiosyncratic voices out there, at times it’s very intimate and infinitely gentle, perfectly showcased in the track Idk where the interplay between his vocals and bassist Roxy’s are sweet and soft, reminding us of early Belle and Sebastian, or The Pastels at their cutest. At the same time Ellis channels his poppier, louder side in songs like Pay Each Other Back and Essay To Write proving himself to be truly versatile.

Ellis’ obvious talent doesn’t detract from the rest of the band either. The subtle bass lines perfectly compliment the scuzzy guitars without getting lost underneath their fuzz and the drummer’s enthusiastic blend of breezy pop beats and energetic performance almost steals the scene. Trust Fund finish their set with recent single Cut me Out and what a perfect ending it is. The song has been been fast-stuck in our heads since its release last December and we really don’t think that’ll change in the foreseeable future. It’s amazing to see the whole of Roll for the Soul singing along and you can’t help but feel that we are all included in the band’s close group of friends. That the show was put on just for us. It is an exciting time right now for live music in Bristol and Trust Fund – not to mention tonight’s intimate venue – look set to be a huge part of that.

Ellis’ obvious talent doesn’t detract from the rest of the band either. The subtle bass lines perfectly compliment the scuzzy guitars without getting lost underneath their fuzz and the drummer’s enthusiastic blend of breezy pop beats and energetic performance almost steals the scene. Trust Fund finish their set with recent single Cut me Out and what a perfect ending it is. The song has been been fast-stuck in our heads since its release last December and we really don’t think that’ll change in the foreseeable future. It’s amazing to see the whole of Roll for the Soul singing along and you can’t help but feel that we are all included in the band’s close group of friends. That the show was put on just for us. It is an exciting time right now for live music in Bristol and Trust Fund – not to mention tonight’s intimate venue – look set to be a huge part of that.